Using Microfluidic Flow to Actively Control Nanofluidic Molecular Flow

H. Liang, W.J. Nam and S.J. FonashCenter for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization, US

Keywords:Nanofluidic, Molecular Flow, Nanochannel

Abstract:In this work, we present novel active nanofluidic flow control method which solves the interfacing problem by using microfluidic flow systems to control nanofluidic flow. The advantages of this approach include extremely fine nano-flow control and the ability to drive the system even with a syringe pump, the most universal fluid handling instrument. Our approach is based on having microfluidic channels connected in parallel with nanofluidic channels made of PDMS, glass, or other suitable materials. By adjusting the cross-sectional dimensions of microfluidic channel, theoretical analysis has shown that different flow rate ratios of microfluidic channel flow to nanofluidic channel flow can be achieved (up to 10^9:1). Hence, flow through the nanofluidic channel can be precisely controlled by a syringe pump-controlled flow through a microfluidic channel. Devices based on this concept have been fabricated.

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